AMD Athlon X4 830 vs Intel Xeon X3460 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark record for these two end-of-life processors is remarkably one-sided. The Intel Xeon X3460 wins all five recorded Cinebench comparisons, while the AMD Athlon X4 830 does not secure a single victory in the head-to-head data. However, the margins are consistently narrow, ranging from 2.0% to 2.2% across all tests. This indicates that while the Xeon holds a measurable advantage, the two chips are trading blows at a very similar performance tier.

The Xeon X3460's wins are most pronounced in the multi-threaded tests, where its 8 threads (4 cores with Hyper-Threading) give it a structural edge over the Athlon X4 830's 4 threads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 2518 versus the Athlon's 2465, a 2.2% lead. The single-core results are closer, with the Xeon at 355 and the Athlon at 348 in R23 single-core, a 2% gap. This suggests that the Xeon's advantage is consistent whether the workload scales across all cores or relies on a single thread.

The Athlon X4 830 does have redeeming qualities outside raw benchmark scores. Its 65W TDP is substantially lower than the Xeon's 95W, making it a more power-efficient choice for systems where thermal headroom or electricity consumption is a concern. The Athlon also features an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the Xeon is locked. For a builder prioritizing tweakability or low power draw, the Athlon could be the more attractive option despite losing every recorded benchmark.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The Intel Xeon X3460 is built on Nehalem architecture with the Lynnfield codename, fabricated on Intel's 45 nm process node. It packs 774 million transistors into a 296 mm² die. The AMD Athlon X4 830 uses Steamroller architecture with the Kaveri codename, produced by GlobalFoundries on a 28 nm process. It contains 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, a much denser design.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a shared 8 MB L3 cache. The Athlon offers 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache at all. In multi-threaded workloads that benefit from a large shared pool, the Xeon's 8 MB L3 is a significant structural advantage.

Memory support also diverges. Both use DDR3 and dual-channel memory buses, but the Xeon's memory bandwidth is rated at 21.3 GB/s, while the Athlon reaches 34.1 GB/s. The Athlon's higher bandwidth could help in memory-sensitive applications, though the benchmark data shows the Xeon still wins in the recorded tests. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server and workstation stability, while the Athlon does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Xeon uses Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the Athlon uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

The Xeon targets the server and workstation segment and was released on September 7, 2009, with a launch MSRP of $316. The Athlon is a desktop part with no recorded release date or launch MSRP in the database. The Xeon's part number is SLBJK; the Athlon's is AD830XYBI44JA.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark suite consists entirely of Cinebench tests, and the Intel Xeon X3460 wins all five. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Xeon scores 253 against the Athlon's 248, a 2% difference. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Xeon posts 1057 versus 1035, a 2.1% lead. The R20 single-core test shows the Xeon at 149 and the Athlon at 146, again a 2.1% gap.

The largest delta appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core: the Xeon scores 2518, the Athlon 2465, a 2.2% advantage. The R23 single-core result is 355 versus 348, a 2% lead. Across the board, the Xeon's advantage hovers near 2%, never exceeding 2.2%. This consistency suggests a stable architectural edge rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

Looking at the broader database context, the Xeon X3460 has an average benchmark score of 866, placing it in the 23rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3540M at 867 (a 0.1% deficit), the Intel Core i5-3470T at 863 (a 0.3% lead), the Intel Xeon W3520 at 862 (a 0.5% lead), and the Intel Atom C5315 at 871 (a 0.6% deficit). The Athlon X4 830 averages 848, also in the 23rd percentile. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon X5492 at 852 (a 0.4% deficit), the Intel Core i7-3520M at 843 (a 0.6% lead), the AMD FX-8800P at 843 (a 0.6% lead), and the Intel Core i5-5250U at 856 (a 0.9% deficit).

The data reveals that both processors sit in a crowded mid-range tier, surrounded by mobile chips and older server parts. The Xeon's 18-point average score advantage over the Athlon (866 versus 848) is the aggregate expression of its consistent Cinebench wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon X3460 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In R15 multi-core, it scores 253 versus 248 (2% higher); in R20, 1057 versus 1035 (2.1% higher); and in R23, 2518 versus 2465 (2.2% higher).

Q: Does the AMD Athlon X4 830 win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head record shows the Xeon X3460 winning all five recorded tests, with zero wins for the Athlon X4 830.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: Both have 4 cores, but the Xeon X3460 supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the Athlon X4 830 has only 4 threads. This gives the Xeon a structural advantage in multi-threaded scenarios.

Q: Which processor has lower power consumption?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 830 has a 65W TDP, which is significantly lower than the Intel Xeon X3460's 95W TDP. This makes the Athlon more power-efficient despite losing on performance.

Q: Can either processor be overclocked?

A: The Athlon X4 830 has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking. The Xeon X3460's multiplier is locked, so it lacks that flexibility.

Q: What memory features differ between them?

A: The Xeon X3460 supports ECC memory, while the Athlon X4 830 does not. The Athlon offers higher memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s versus the Xeon's 21.3 GB/s, though both use DDR3 and dual-channel configurations.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon X3460 | AMD Athlon X4 830 |

|----------------|------------------|-------------------|

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.47 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 95W | 65W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1156 | AMD Socket FM2+ |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Steamroller |

| Codename | Lynnfield | Kaveri |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 28 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 774 million | 2,411 million |

| Die Size | 296 mm² | 245 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 256 KB |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 4 MB |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | None |

| Memory Bandwidth | 21.3 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2009-09-07 | Not recorded |

| Launch MSRP | $316 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SLBJK | AD830XYBI44JA |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 866 | 848 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 23 | 23 |